..."Evangelism is mission but mission is not merely evangelism" (Moltmann 1977)...."Mission is not a programme of the church but rather an attribute of God" (Bosch 1991).... "we are called to display what it means to be a colony of heaven mission embodies the total impact of the church on the world it's involvement with the social, political and moral life of the community and nation where it is placed" (Green 1990).... "The Church exists primarily for the sake of mission in the world. Mission is therefore the reason why the Church exists (Needham 1987).... "Mission comes first from the heart of God and we are caught up in it rather than initiating it (Bosch 1991)..."we seek to renew the face of the earth, all things and all peoples - that's mission" Archbishop Rowan Williams

Sunday, July 06, 2008

The week that was...

That's the end to Commissioning week; The latest session God's Fellow Workers are now fully commissioned Lieutenants!

There is something emotional about seeing those you have journeyed with coming to the end of their residential training and preparing to move on to their new appointments.

That You should run to meet me.That You should hold me in Your arms.That You should call me, clothe me, give me Your work to do.How can I not love You?

Each session has what is their dedication song - I was particularly drawn to this years 'That You Should...'; it reminded me of Nouwen's reflection on the prodigal son.

Lord, for pride in what is seen, forgive us:If we have lived for ourselves, and not for You; but now we are Your new creation, reconciled, made righteous by Your blood; our lives hidden in You.

That You should run to meet me.That You should hold me in Your arms.That You should call me, clothe me, give me Your work to do.How can I not love You?

Holy Spirit, by Your grace, come fill us, To follow, make us ready, Christ, we plead,Please Father, place Your will to love within us,

Oh God, we ask that You might be in every deed. Lord, for this appointing we now thank You, as Your ambassadors to our fallen race; our ministry of reconciliation, an echo of Your holy love and greatest grace.

2 Comments:

It has been a pleasure to work with you Gordon. Will be strange for me not to see you and Kate regularly after 4 years of it. Welwyn Garden City beckons, and the new chapter in my life begins. How exciting!

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About Me

URBANarmy – are the thoughts and theological reflections of an insignificant Salvation Army officer trying to show true hope, grace, love and freedom in a significant way.
URBANarmy -is a story of Missio Dei driving an all-encompassing grace-centred mission.
URBANarmy – is an open compilation of lessons learned from day to day ministry, dialogue and reading.
URBANarmy – is Gordon who finds total fulfillment in demonstrating the Kingdom of God.
URBANarmy – is now the fusion and exploration of 'mission' and 'spiritual formation' while trying to inspire a new generation of Salvation Army Officers as to their role in God's plan for His creation.